Mike Tulumello, of the East Valley Tribune, reports Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said he was disappointed with the punting of P Dirk Johnson Thursday, Aug. 7. Johnson netted 32 yards per kick in the preseason game. Whisenhunt said, "I'm by no means down on Dirk. I think he's going to be a good punter for us. He'll work on it, and I think we'll see a much better performance next week."

Bob Kent, of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, reports the Philadelphia Eagles have signed P Dirk Johnson to a six-year contract that will keep him with the team through 2011. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bob Kent, of PhiladelphiaEagles.com reports Philadelphia Eagles P Dirk Johnson will assume the role of holder on all field goals and PATs, after the team released QB Koy Detmer. "Every rep, it becomes more comfortable," Johnson said. "Obviously, we don't have game reps as much yet, but they're going to come. It's just going to keep coming. The more we (he and PK David Akers) work together, the more familiar we get with each other, the more comfortable I'm going to be in there. It's just time and reps." Johnson has worked at his new craft throughout the spring and summer. He's actually worked at it in practice over the last few years in the event anything were to happen to Detmer.

Bob Kent, of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, reports Philadelphia Eagles PK David Akers was encouraged by the chemistry he had with P Dirk Johnson as his holder Friday, Aug. 25. "That 52-yarder was by far Dirk and myself's most rhythmical snap, hold and kick and I felt really good to have that in there. It's good to see that and if he ends up being my holder this year we kind of have to build on that. It was good work for us to have. Whatever the team decides to do, we're ready to kind of roll," said Akers.

During his press conference, Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator John Harbaugh discussed the situation of whether QB Koy Detmer or P Dirk Johnson will be the holder for PK David Akers. "[QB] Koy [Detmer] is the better holder by the virtue of the experience. [P] Dirk [Johnson] is doing real well. Dirk took the majority of the reps this week. Dirk's going to get the majority of the reps during this game. We're trying to get them both ready. We're trying to make sure we have two guys that are ready to go and I think coach Reid will make that decision based on the holding part of it but also based on the offensive part as well," said Harbaugh. He added that Johnson has done just as well as Detmer in training camp.

Don Benevento, of the Courier-Post, reports Philadelphia Eagles QB Jeff Garcia is taking almost all the snaps with the second team as the Eagles continued their training camp at Lehigh University. That could indicate that QB Koy Detmer's time with the team is over, or it could indicate Detmer is being demoted to No. 3 quarterback. There is one thing that Detmer does better than any of the other Eagles, however, and that is hold for field goals and extra points for kicker PK David Akers. Special teams coach John Harbaugh said Thursday, July 27, that claim to fame likely would not be enough to assure that Detmer has a roster spot on the team this season. If Detmer were not to make the team, Harbaugh said the job would probably go to P Dirk Johnson.

Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator John Harbaugh believes P Dirk Johnson has done a great job as a holder for PK David Akers. Johnson could be in the mix as the starting holder along with QB Koy Detmer. Harbaugh said, "We feel like we have two holders that are starting holders. Dirk has done great and [P] Reggie Hodges has done a nice job as well. But, Dirk would be the starting holder, if not [QB] Koy [Detmer]. But, Koy is the best holder. Koy might be the best holder in the NFL. He does all of the little subtle things that you never see that make a big difference. But, by the same token Dirk is a heck of a holder too, so we've got confidence in both guys and whatever way it goes, it goes."

Philadelphia Eagles special teams coordinator John Harbaugh discussed how P Dirk Johnson (sports hernia) looks physically. Harbaugh said, "The biggest thing for him is 100% confidence that he's 100% physical, if that makes any sense. I mean, really going after balls. He's got no pain, his mechanics are tremendous. And when he does that, when he really kind of cranks one up, man, he hits it. Today, he had a great day out there and he crushed some balls, so he looks good."

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles P Dirk Johnson is getting more work as a holder this preseason, with QB Koy Detmer's continued presence on the roster an open question. "We're looking at it like we have two starting holders right now," special-teams coordinator John Harbaugh said.

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, citing the Carroll County Times, reports the Baltimore Ravens recently worked out restricted free agent P Dirk Johnson (Eagles). The Eagles would receive no compensation if they allowed Johnson to sign elsewhere, since he was undrafted and they offered him the low tender.

Les Bowen, of the Philadelphia Daily News, reports Philadelphia Eagles P Dirk Johnson (groin) has a groin strain that "looks like it is pretty significant," according to Eagles head coach Andy Reid. Johnson is expected to consult with a doctor on the injury.